Newsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

Transcription

1 Newsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church November 2016 Evangelism at All Holy Spirit Update One of the most moving moments for me at the recent Missions and Evangelism Conference in Portland was a speaker posing a scenario when we come before the judgment seat of Christ. At that time, what are we to say when Jesus says this to us, There were so many people that I wanted to save. Why didn t you tell them about me? At the simple core of evangelism, it is that straight forward. Either we have something to share with others or we don t. And if we do have something worth sharing, why would we keep it to ourselves? Here is how our Archdiocese puts it: As the presence of the Universal Church, the parish is called to witness to those within and those outside the community of believers. If we believe that in Orthodoxy we have the fullness of the Truth, then we have the great responsibility - the Great Commission - to share it with all people. All aspects of the parish may be seen as apostolic, and the Orthodox faithful are called to incorporate Christian mission in all aspects of life. When Christ said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." he commissioned us to transform the parish into an agency of Christian outreach. The American culture offers us great opportunities to conduct successful parish renewal, outreach and evangelism. It is time for a new beginning and a renewed effort to inspire creativity and revival in Orthodox Christianity in the United States. It is our duty and obligation not to hide our light under the bushel, but to let it shine before all people - to regain the missionary model that established the early Church. We must let our light so shine - because unless people see in us the light and the love of Christ, they will not believe. In the coming months, All Holy Spirit will be exploring how to become a better evangelizing parish. On December 4th, the Parish Council, along with the welcoming and evangelism committees will be spending the afternoon going through a program called Becoming Truly Human that consists of several sessions of watching short video segments and then breaking into small groups to discuss what we just watched. Through the five segments of watching and discussing, people will be exploring what religious experience in our culture looks like and will be then gradually introduced to the Orthodox Christian ideas about what a faith in Christ means. Becoming Truly Human is intended, however, not to be an in reach program for the parish, but is primarily a tool to help bring those who are not Christians into an environment where they can thoughtfully consider whether a Christian faith might be meaningful and helpful in their lives. It is the goal of the evangelism committee to have a second Becoming Truly Human class starting in January that would be open to the entire parish so that everyone can become familiar with the program. And then, once we are familiar with the program, we will continue to start new classes intended for anyone within the greater Omaha area that would be interested in exploring our ancient faith with us. Hopefully as we share this with Omaha we will both be having new converts join our parish as well as preparing a joyful answer for Jesus: Yes, Lord, we told as many as we could about you! Clark Gorder All Holy Spirit, Evangelism Committee Chair November

2 Bringing Orthodoxy to America National Missions and Evangelism Conference October 3 5, Portland, Oregon Attendees of 2016 National Missions & Evangelism Conference Conference Speakers Fr. Luke A. Veronis Fr. Evan Armatas Fr. Theodore Dorrance Fr. Barnabas Powell Conference Links: Biographies on conference speakers: Ancient Faith Site the page that has all the talks at the Evangelism Conference: Photos from the Conference: Office Hours: Monday Friday: 10am 5pm Phone: PARISH INFOMATION Address: 9012 Q Street, Omaha, NE Website: Church: AHSoffice@allholyspirit.com Fr. Alexander Lukashonok: FrAlexander@allholyspirit.com Services: Each Sunday Morning Prayers 8:45 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am 2 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

3 Parish News Thank you Thank you to the following people who provided the following for the month of October: Prosphora Effie Bitsos, Aphrodite Petrihos, Voula Kotrotsios, Joan Sgourakis and Hillary Detisch Altar Flowers George & Angie Rakes, Theodora Petrow, the Detisch Family Food for fellowship hour Despina Foster, Steve & Heide Thomson, Mike & Niki Moravec, Helen Petrow, the Detisch Family Social Hour Servers Chris & Nadine Saklar, Shelly Petrow, Brian & Sheila Zachariae, Tammy Johnson Artoklaisa for Church Music Sunday Joan Rakes Artoklaisa for Clergy Appreciation Month (October) Stephanie Wilger Thank You!! Chris & Nadine There are all kinds of Thank-you s. All very sincere. But none could mean more than the thank-you this brings. Thank you so much for all the years serving as hosts of our Sunday Morning Social Hour Thank you!! Plan to Attend.. General Assembly Meeting Sunday, November 20th Following Divine Liturgy Light Lentin Breakfast Provided With Chris and Nadine no longer serving as Hosts for Sunday Moring Social Hour, we are looking for volunteers to help with this responsibility! This would require you to: Make Coffee Set up the serving table Clean up and put things away after the Social Hour Gust & Joan will pick up donuts If you would like to volunteer call the Church office to schedule your date!! Commissioning Icons Select a saint. Generally your feast day or a baptism name. Discuss with the iconographer as he can help you choose or identify a Saint for the day chosen. Icon Pricing List Single Figure 2 or more Figures Festal 5x7 $150 Select a size, if you want gold used? Just the halo or the whole background? (It affects the price) 9X12 $300 $400 12x16 $450 $600 $800 To begin the process after you have selected your saint, 50% is asked for up front. Everything is negotiable. 16x20 $600 $800 $1,100 No Gold Subtract $25 All Gold Background add $25 $50 Contact Tom Denich direct or by , icxcpainter@hotmail.com November

4 Parish News Baptism Announcement Fr. Alexander & Presbytera Oksana Invite You to the Baptism of their Daughter Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Lukashonok Katia Friday, November 25, 2016 Liturgy & Baptism 11:00 am Godparents: Inna Novikova & Peter Wilger Reception to follow in Social Hall Please RSVP : By, Saturday, November 19 Phone: or ahsoffice@allholyspirit.com 2nd Annual Soup Cookoff The All Holy Spirit 2nd Annual Soup Cookoff was held on Sunday, October 29!! Contestants were: Elaine Berger, Ester Coelter, Tannen Honke, Triston Honke, Jeff Johannesmeyer, Deb McDonnell, Michael McDonnell, Nick Petrow, David Rakes, Gust Rakes and Joan Rakes Winners were: Gust Rakes, Jeff Johannesmeyer and Michael McDonnell A huge thank you to Sheila and Brian Zachariae for organizing this event and providing prizes!! Thanks also to Tammy Johnson for our her help setting up and making coffee!!! 4 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

5 Parish News New Altar Boy Robes! New red and green robes have been purchased for the altar boys. Father will bless the robes Sunday, November 6 Thank You!! All Holy Spirit thanks Oresta Hykava, Father s Mother-in law for her help in purchasing the robes. She ordered the robes, selected the fabric, traveled to where they were being sewn to pick them up and brought them to Omaha. Thank you again! Thank You also. To our Iconographer, Tom Denich!! The money donated for the Icons of the Saints in the narthex was designated for new robes for the Altar boys!! Congratulations!..to Father Alexander and Presbytera Oksana on the birth of their daughter, Ekaterina Aleksandrovna, Katia, on October 7!..to Adam and Chrissie Hoffman on the birth of their son, Theodore John, Theo, on October 11! Congratulations also to grandparents, George and Angie Rakes..to Danny and Danielle Hassel on the baptism of their son, Joseph (Les). Congratulations also to grandmother, Maria Yanda-Carter, Great-Grandparents, Joe and Litsa Carter and Godmother, Litsa Shoemaker Να σου ζησει!! - May they live long!!.to Broderick (Mo) Wilson and Lauren Alexandra Coleter on their marriage on, October 3, in Erie, Colorado.to James and Holly Wiest on their marriage on October 16, at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Omaha Να ησετε ευτυχισμενοι!! - Live Happily!! November

6 AHEPA Parish News As many of you already know, we had a very good year with our Fish Fry. Thanks to the effort of our members, our youth volunteers & community members that assisted us with this event, we will be making a $40,000 donation to the Capital Campaign. Our Chapter was formed back in Since then, our Chapter has donated to our Church a total of $214, This amounts includes our donations to both our General Fund & Capital Campaign. This does not include the monies that were donated to our Youth ($9,320) or to our local Community/ Charities ($7,793). The Next AHEPA Meeting will be held: Saturday, November 19 9:00 am At the Church It s that time of year! Please pay your 2017 Dues!! Please remit your dues to: Paul Bitsos, Seward St, Omaha, NE or Elias Eliopoulos, 1210 N, 141st Ave, Omaha, NE Philoptochos Upcoming Events: Baklava Baking, Saturday, November 5, 10:00am at the church Regular Meeting, Tuesday, November 8, 6:30pm Greek Islands Restaurant Thanksgiving Dinner, Sunday, November 13, Following Liturgy Baklava cutting and packing, Pizza Party, Tuesday, November 15, 6:30pm at the Church THANKSGIVING BASKETS FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED Philoptochos is preparing Thanksgiving baskets again this year for needy families at Mockingbird Elementary school - 93 rd and Q St. Our goal is to assemble 10 baskets and we need your help. The baskets will include everything needed for a Thanksgiving dinner. Please consider donating toward the cost of the items. Checks should be made out to Philoptochos. Contact Joan Rakes. All Holy Spirit CommunityThanksgiving Dinner Sunday, November 13, Following Divine Liturgy Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Free Will Offering, Proceeds to Philoptochos Just a reminder.. If you have not done so, please pay your Stewardship! We request a minimum of $30 to cover our National and Metropolis commitments! 6 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

7 Parish News Sunday School But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, Hosanna to the Son of David, they were indignant. "Do you hear what these children are saying? they asked him. Yes, replied Jesus, have you never read, From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise Matthew 21:15-16 Youth Take-Over Sunday Children s Choir Sunday, November 6 and Sunday, December 4 Please have children at church by 9:15! Please Note.. Due to the size of the primary class, first grade will be taught by Maria Laws and second and third grades will be taught by Tammy Honke!! Sunday School students in 1st-3rd grade, learning about being thankful! HOPE GOYA Youth Night! HOPE Playdate Saturday, November, 12th 10:00 am Location: Leah Busch s House (14629 Hartman Ave, 68116) *Feel free to bring snacks Saturday, November 19 5:00pm 8:00pm For a Fun night of Fall Activities At Tammy and Trey Honke s 1116 EP LN Watch the Sunday Bulletin and for more details!!! November

8 Parish News In this time of Thanksgiving All Holy Spirit is grateful and blessed to have so many faithful stewards. As we quickly come to the close of 2016 we hope you will be generous in fulfilling your pledge. Stewardship Sunday will be offered on December 4th, as we prayerfully choose our level of commitment to the All Holy Spirit ministries of 2017, please devote some time for reflection toward your level of giving and what you are able and willing to donate toward the ministries of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church. An effective stewardship program understands and is passionate about ministry and the vision for our Parish. You can help propel our stewardship program to the next level. This requires the vision and inspiration to see our parish, not as it is, but as it could be. We are all called to offer ourselves and our treasure to make All Holy Spirit all that it can be. "In fulfilling our commission from God, we must continue to strengthen our ministries of outreach and evangelism so that our clergy and laity have the guidance, programs, and resources to offer His voice clearly and effectively" (from the Reflections of Archbishop Demetrios of America on the the of the Clergy-Laity Congress 2016.) All for His Glory, Debbie Birge Shelly Petrow Stewardship Committee Stewardship You are the Voice of Christ in a Changing World "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." John 20:21 Remember in Your Prayers Our parishioners recovering from illness or surgery.. Spiro Moustakis, on his recent illness Mary Dounias, on her recent illness Billie Caredis, on her recent illness Mike Kriha, following his recent surgery Our Deepest Sympathy.. All Holy Spirit extends our deep and heartfelt sympathies to John and Hillary Deitsch and family on the loss of John s father, Robert Deitsch who fell asleep in the Lord on October 11. May Robert s Memory be Eternal. 8 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

9 Parish News Outreach FOODBANK FOR THE HEARTLAND MOBILE PANTRY SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2016 We will be assisting Messiah Lutheran Church With their Mobil Food Pantry Harrison Street Baptist Church 8015 Harrison St Time Range: 7am-2pm, (all or some) Please visit the Hot Spot table in the Fellowship Hall to sign up!! Contact: Sandi Kriha Cell: For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Matthew 25:35-40 Light the Night Thursday, October 20 Thank you to the following people that participated in the Light the Night Walk to fight cancer Outreach October event. Debbie Birge, Voula Kotrotsios, George Pserros, Paul Bitsos, Annie & Demi and Nathan Kosel and Dora Bitsos. It was a small group, but we did have a presence and enjoyed the fellowship. November

10 Parish News YAL Orthodoxy On Tap Father Sasha from St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church came to speak at our first "Orthodoxy on Tap" event! We had an open discussion on all things Orthodoxy, with a major focus on how to live as a young Orthodox Christian in today's society. A big thanks to Father Sasha for providing us with guidance and support as we continue to navigate our young lives through this hectic world! In other news, your YAL board has been working hard and has added a new board member, Ms. Maja Kotlaja from St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church! We are thrilled to have Maja and are looking forward to planning our future 2017 events. Upcoming events: Soon we will be starting our winter service project. Your YAL board has teamed up with the Open Door Mission to make blessing bags for those living on the streets. We will have more details on this soon. We would like to welcome all of the Young Adults to please join us as we enjoy the hospitality of our Pan- Orthodox friends during our month of "Church Swapping" starting November 13th. For more details on the when and where, checkout out our Facebook events page: 10 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

11 Archdiocese News Feast of the Holy Un-mercenaries Saints Cosmas and Damian Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Each year we are led by our National Ladies Philoptochos Society in support of the philanthropic ministries of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate. These ministries are vital to the needs of many, and through programs for orphans and the poor, as well as the Baloukli Hospital and elder center, the love of Christ is being offered through compassionate healing and care. Following the example of our Lord, Christians down through the centuries have offered a witness of this love through service and philanthropy, and the Holy Unmercenaries we commemorate on November 1, Saints Cosmas and Damian, are examples of this sacred work. Granted by grace the power to cast out unclean spirits and heal sickness, these holy men gave freely so that others could be free of their infirmities. In showing the love of God through their love of humankind, they led many to faith in Christ so that they could be healed in body and soul. In serving those in need, Cosmas and Damian where also serving Christ. This is the focus of the philanthropic ministries of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. As help and healing are offered to many in need, the faithful clergy and laity of the communities are serving Christ. Our support of these ministries ensures that this care can be offered freely and that the witness of service reveals the grace and power of God to comfort, to heal, and to give abundant life both now and for eternity. On this sacred occasion of the Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian, I ask all of our parishes to offer special prayers for the philanthropic ministries of our Ecumenical Patriarchate and for the ongoing programs of our Ladies Philoptochos Society at the local, metropolis, and national levels. I also ask our parishes to take a special collection on Sunday, October 30 for the National Ladies Philoptochos Ecumenical Patriarchate Fund. This is an opportunity for all of us to participate in these ministries, as well as a time for renewed commitment to our sacred ministry to minister to the least of these (Matthew 25:40), to minister to Christ himself, as we serve all who have needs. With paternal love in Him, DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America All Holy Spirit Philoptochos will be passing a tray on Sunday, November 6 for the National Ladies Philoptochos Ecumenical Patriarchate Fund. November

12 Usher & Special Liturgy Schedules If you are unable to usher on your assigned Sunday please find a replacement within your group or contact the Church Office. November 11/6 Andy Karavas, Bill & Cindy Lambert, Sophia Petrow 11/13 John & Kathy Treantos, George Poullos & Paul Bitsos 11/20 John & Debbie Birge, Mike and Niki Moravec 11/27 Dora Bitsos, Tammy Johnson, & Brian and Sheila Zachariae December 12/4 Chris Hoegemeyer, Mike Bouzis John & Laura Pavalis 12/11 Andy Karavas, Bill & Cindy Lmbert, Christina Knowles 12/18 John & Kathy Treantos, George Poulos, Paul Bitsos 12/25 John Birge, Mike & Niki Moravec, Jim McDoonnell Vesperal Divine Liturgy and Divine Liturgy of the Saints Schedule Saint Matthew the Apostle Vesperal Divine Liturgy Tuesday, November 15 6:30pm Entrance of the Theotokos to the Temple Divine Liturgy Monday, November 21 9:30am Saint Alexander the Wonder Worker (Nevsky) Vesperal Divine Liturgy Tuesday, November 22 6:30pm Saint Andrew the First Called Apostle Vesperal Divine Liturgy Tuesday, November 29 6:30pm The Light-Bulb Joke: OK, how many Russian Orthodox does it take to change a light bulb? None. Orthodoxy never changes, and, in addition to burning candles like the Catholics, uses oil -burning lamps. Electricity is for those Gregorian calendar-using, liberal ecumenist jurisdictions. Russian Orthodox Church of Three Saints, website, 12 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

13 November 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 8:30 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy Youth Take Over Blessing Altar Boy Robes Cosmos & Damian Tray 8:30 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy Thanksgiving Dinner 8:30 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy General Assembly 6:30 Evangelism Cosmos & Damian :30 Akathist o Thanksgiving 7:00 Choir 9:30 Divine Liturgy 10:00 Baking Baklava 10:00 Divine Liturgy 11:00 Krampe Baptism 5:00 Vespers :30 Parish Council 6:30 Philoptochos at Greek Islands Archangels Michael & Gabriel 7:00 Book Club Nektarios 9:30 Divine Liturgy 7:00-2:00 Mobile Food Pantry 5:00 Vespers Phillip the Apostle 6:00 Cut and Pack Baklava 6:30 Vesperal Divine Liturgy Apostle for Saint Matthew Nativity Fast Begins 6:30 Akathist of Thanksgiving 7:00 Choir 9:30 Divine Liturgy 9:00 Ahepa Mtg 5:00 Youth Night at Honke s NO VESPERS :30 Divine Liturgy Entrance of the Theotokos 6:30 Vesperal Divine Liturgy for Saint Alexander the Wonder Worker (Nevsky) Thanksgiving 10:00 Orthos 11:00 Divine Liturgy and Lukashonok Baptism Katherine the Martyr 8:30 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy :30 Vesperal Divine Liturgy for Saint Andrew the Apostle 7:00 Book Club November

14 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church 9012 Q Street Omaha, NE (402) office NON-PROFIT organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No Omaha, NE What s Inside Evangelism 1 Parish News Archdiocese News. 11 Ushers & Special Liturgy Schedules November Calendar All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church